Predators: Training camp, the 18 and 19-year-olds

Most 18-year-olds spend their first fall out of high schoolworking through the beginnings of college life or trying to find a job.

Most 18-year-olds aren’t NHL prospects.

The Nashville Predators have seven prospects in trainingcamp who are only 18 or 19 years old.The majority of the young Predators will take their skills back to thejuniors for sharpening.But some, inparticular Scottie Upshall, may have a chance to crack the Nashvilleroster.

Upshall, 19, skated with the Predators for the first eightgames of the season last year, but was sent back to the juniors where he wouldbe able to play consistently.

The 6’0”, 185-pound right winger scored 56 points (25 goals,31 assists) last season with the Kamloops of the Western Hockey League.He also played two games with the MilwaukeeAdmirals, scoring one goal.

Upshall has already come out of the gates on fire scoringtwo goals in as many games against the Columbus Blue Jackets rookies in thefirst period of Sunday’s game.

Upshall is the only 18- or 19-year-old prospect with arealistic shot of making the team.Theother six youngsters were 2003 draft choices.

All six are expected to go back to their junior hockey teamor overseas team, but the players are invited to training camp to get a tasteof the pro competition and for the coaching staff to get a glimpse at all ofthe players in the system.

Klein, a 2003 second round pick, scored 44 points (11 goals,33 assists) in 67 games last year for the Toronto St. Michael’s of the OntarioHockey League.The 6’1”, 184-pound defensemanis noted for his superior skating skills and potential two-way ability.Klein likely will not be NHL-ready foranother three to four years.

Weber, another 2003 second round pick for the Predators,skated in 70 games with Kelowna of the WHL.The 6’3”, 190-pound defenseman is a tough guy who racked up 167 penaltyminutes last season.

Stehlik is another big defenseman drafted by the Predatorsthis year.The 6-4, 245-pounder playedwith Sherbrooke of the QMJHL last season.The 19-year-old is expected to return toSherbrooke this season.

Brown, a teammate ofUpshall, was drafted in the fourth round by the Predators.The right winger scored 56 points (21 goalsand 35 assists) in 67 games last year with the Kamloops.Brown plays a similar style to Upshall andeven racked up a team-leading 231 PIMs last year.

Goaltenders Miroslav Hanuljak and RustamSidkov are two of the young goalies in camp for the Predators.

Hanuljak, 19, played withLitvinov of the Czech Republic Junior league last year.The seventh round pick in this year’s draftis expected to return to the Czech Republic this season.

The 6’1”, 158-pound Sidkov was a fourth roundpick by Nashville this year.Sidkovplayed last year HC CSKA 2 in Moscow, Russia.He is expected to return to Russia to play this season.

With the exception of Upshall, these prospectsare in camp to learn more about the professional game of hockey and to honetheir skills and talents under the watchful eyes of the Nashville organization.

NASHVILLEPREDATORS 2003 TRAINING CAMP 18 and 19-year-olds

#

Player

Shoots

Height

Weight

Age

Team 2002-03

49

Scottie Upshall

L

6′ 0"

184

19

Milwaukee (AHL)

58

Miroslav Hanuljak

G

5′ 11"

165

19

Litvinov Jr. (Czech Jr.)

61

Shea Weber

D

6′ 3"

190

18

Kelowna (WHL)

62

Paul Brown

R

6′ 2"

184

19

Kamloops (WHL)

63

Richard Stehlik

D

6′ 4"

245

19

Sherbrooke (QMJHL)

65

Kevin Klein

D

6′ 1"

187

18

Toronto St. Michael’s (OHL)

67

Rustam Sidikov

G

6′ 1"

158

18

HC CSKA Jr (Russia Jr.)

Next will be a look at the20 and-21-year-olds at training camp with the Nashville Predators.